Political Bureau
September 8, 2026 | New Delhi Chronicle
PALGHAR / MUMBAI: Taking a strict stance on indiscipline, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde on Monday suspended party leader Rahul Gharat following his arrest for allegedly assaulting medical staff at a private hospital in Palghar.
Warning party cadre against violence, Shinde emphasized that high-handed behavior will not be tolerated regardless of political affiliations.
Dispute Over Hospital Bills Led to Assault
The incident occurred at Relief Hospital in Palghar, where five govindas (Dahi Handi participants) affiliated with Shiv Sena were admitted for treatment. According to Inspector Kishor Mahanubhav of the Palghar Police Station, a dispute erupted over an unsettled bill amounting to ₹9,000 out of a total ₹19,000 charge.
Trouble escalated when attending doctors recommended keeping a 19-year-old patient under 24-hour observation. Party members demanded the immediate discharge of the patient and refused to pay the outstanding amount until he was released. The verbal argument quickly turned violent, with party workers physically assaulting the hospital staff.
CCTV footage retrieved from the medical facility purportedly shows a man slapping a hospital receptionist.
Police Action and Arrests
Following a complaint by the hospital management, Palghar Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 17 individuals involved in the violence.
Primary Arrest: Shiv Sena’s Palghar city chief Rahul Gharat was taken into custody and produced before a local magistrate.
Remand: The court remanded Gharat to one-day police custody.
Ongoing Investigation: Police officers are reviewing video footage to trace and apprehend the remaining 16 accused persons.
